From the 21st of September 2024, Belgian e-commerce businesses must comply with a new law that requires them to offer at least two delivery options to their customers. One of these options must be sustainable, reflecting the increasing need to reduce CO2 emissions and meet growing consumer demand for greener choices in online shopping.
The law passed in early 2024 and published in March, is part of Belgium’s drive towards a more eco-friendly economy. This change means most online businesses will have to rethink their delivery strategies.
However, there are a few exceptions:
- Companies that are less than three years old.
- Businesses that only offer in-store pick-up.
- In specific sectors, like hot meal deliveries, only one delivery method is required.
Though this law impacts many e-commerce businesses, it’s also a chance to set yourself apart by showing your dedication to sustainability and offering your customers more choices.
Sustainable delivery options for e-commerce
As consumers become more environmentally conscious, e-commerce businesses must adopt delivery options that reduce their environmental footprint. Belgium’s new law encourages exactly this, pushing companies to explore greener delivery methods like:
- Parcel lockers and pick-up points provide convenient collection options for customers, reducing the need for home deliveries.
- Electric vehicles and cargo bikes are greener delivery alternatives, cutting CO2 emissions and easing city traffic.
- Encouraging soft mobility promotes walking or cycling to pick-up points, further lowering environmental impact beyond delivery choices.
Embracing these eco-friendly delivery methods helps businesses stay compliant with regulations while appealing to today’s consumers. Research shows that 60% of Belgian shoppers now prefer greener delivery options, with many avoiding retailers that don’t offer them.
Younger customers, in particular, are willing to spend more on sustainable options, which is a key factor for businesses that want to grow responsibly.
How Zapiet - Pickup + Delivery can help
Running a store on Shopify in Belgium and worried about the new regulations? Zapiet - Pickup + Delivery takes the stress out of it. It gives you the tools to offer multiple delivery options, keeping your business in line with the new laws without messing up your day-to-day operations.
Here’s how Zapiet - Pickup + Delivery can support your business:
- Flexible delivery choices: Zapiet lets you offer delivery options like store pickup, local delivery, and shipping. It simplifies adding eco-friendly options alongside regular deliveries, keeping your business in line with regulations.
- Eco-friendly integration: whether you want to use electric vehicles or bike couriers, Zapiet supports a variety of sustainable delivery methods. By offering these options, your business can reduce its environmental impact and give customers the green choices they’re increasingly seeking.
- In-store pickup: for businesses with a physical shop, Zapiet’s in-store pick-up feature is an ideal solution. It allows you to provide a no-delivery option where customers can collect their orders in person, which not only helps with compliance but also cuts down on delivery costs.
- Highlighting sustainable choices at checkout: Zapiet makes it easy to display eco-friendly delivery options at the checkout. When you clearly present these options, you nudge customers toward the more eco-friendly choice. It helps you stay compliant with regulations and shows your brand’s dedication to sustainability.
Additionally, Zapiet - Pickup + Delivery has a 14-day free trial, which allows you to explore all the features and ensure it fits your business needs without any upfront commitment.
If you're a business in Belgium getting into e-commerce on Shopify, Zapiet - Pickup + Delivery is like having a reliable guide to help you navigate the new rules. It’s a super helpful app that makes offering different delivery options easy. And the best part? It aligns perfectly with the growing trend of eco-friendly shopping, helping you lower your carbon footprint.